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View Full Version : POR Review (Now with link to pics)


Dallas_Lady
09-26-2002, 10:33 AM
DH and I stayed at POR from Sept. 18-24

We arrived on Wednesday around 12:45. We gave our bags to luggage service and check in was quick. The lobby was pretty empty so we only waited a few minutes. I did not fax or call the resort with my requests, I noted them on my ressie with CRO. The CM at POR said that he had recieved my requests for a River view room in the mansions and was able to grant them. We'd paid for a King bed room. We were in Magnolia Terrace room 8767. it was on the inside of the "H" on the side that faced the river.

Note: IMO, I would not pay for a water view room at a Moderate. Because you have exterior corridors, you will probably keep your window closed. There is no balcony, you it's not like you can sit out and look over the river. If you want to be near the river, just request it. I don't think it's worth the $10-15 extra.

Now, DH wanted to stay in the bayou, I wanted the formal elegance of the mansions. The mansions were gorgeous! Even he was happy with our decision. Our room was on the second floor. The room size is pretty good. It is not impressive, but very adequate.

Now, onto the room cleanliness. The furniture was a little worn. It was obvious it had been there a long time. The drawer slides had some "issues." Nothing to make me request another room, but, it was noticeable. Also, the room could have used a deep cleaning. All of the day-to-day things were clean. Sinks, toilet, mirrors, bed, etc. But dust had started to collect in the corners and on the tops of the light fixtures. Again, nothing so bad to make me request another room, but I did notice.

We requested to have to sheets and towels changed every day (due to our allergies). Otherwise, they do not change either of these daily, every 3 days she said. Mousekeeping did a good job each day, and we even got towel animals on 2 days. We called and asked for an extra pillow and it was there within 15 minutes.

Now, a pet peeve. The bottom sheet was not a fitted sheet!! :mad: :mad: So, during the night as you toss and turn, the sheet starts to creep back and you wake up sleeping on the bare mattress! I have stayed in a few other places that didn't use fitted sheets either. It annoys me. I am wondering if this is just the case for king beds. Someone will have to confirm.

We only ate at the food court once. The food was good, nothing amazing, but adequate for a food court. We didn't eat a Boatwrights.

We were both very pleased with transportation, but I instantly could see how some people could be annoyed by it. I read on these boards that the best way to get around is to use the first (south) bus stop right outside the fod court. I read that sometimes the bus fills up here and doesn't make its way around the back. Dh wanted to use the bus stop that was right behind our building (east depot), so we did. Every morning, without fail, the main (south) bus stop was the LAST stop. The buses went to the back stops, then to the main stop and then out (no POFQ stop.) There were tons of people waiting at the first bus stop each morning, and many either could not get on or had to stand. Wheras there were very few people who were at the back bus stops and got on easily.

Now, it was different at night. The busses stopped at POFQ and then made their way around POR, stopping at the main bus stop first. Some nights (like after MK fireworks), POFQ and POR didn't share a bus, and the POR bus went south-west-north-east.

Note: We left MK after Spectro and FITS. Bus lines were HORRENDOUS. There were tons of people. The POR bus line was three times as long as the POFQ line. We got in the POFQ line, got off there and walked back to POR. It was about a 10 minute walk to our room. Using our back bus stop technique, we never waited more than 15 minutes for a bus, and always got a seat.

So, during our stay, this is how the busses ran:
Morning: POR west, POR north, POR east, POR south (main)
Evening: POFQ, POR south, POR west, POR north, POR east)

We rode the boat to downtown Disney twice. It's a great ride. We enjoyed that a lot.

Overall, we really enjoyed POR. It is absolutely beautiful, pics do not do it justice.

I took a ton of pics and will be posting them online in the next few days. Please ask me anything you would like!

Here is a link to my POR picture page
http://www.geocities.com/tonyandgiovanna/

Dallas_Lady
09-26-2002, 10:46 AM
I just wanted to add, initially DH just wanted to stay at a DD Hotel. He didn't see the point in paying more for a Disney resort. "It's just a place to sleep, right?" Well, on our last day as we were sitting on the DD bus stop looking at those hotels, he admitted that he was glad I talked him into POR. He is now convinced onsite it the only way to go!

tampafan
09-26-2002, 11:41 AM
We agree with your husband. It is really worth it to stay on property. We have stayed at many Disney resorts (ASMov, ASMu, ASSp, CBR, CSR, POR, POFQ, CR, Poly, Swan) and will be trying AKL and the Dolphin later this fall. This is one of the things we like best about Disney --- trying new resorts! We have never had a bad experience and have found unique charm in each resort. :D :)

melomouse
09-26-2002, 03:45 PM
Thanks do much for your report. We will be staying at POR for the first time next month. They had a great rate and this is kind of an unplanned trip, so I was a bit hesitant but now think we will love it.

Bus info a big help! Honest assessment of rooms - I felt similarly at POFQ last year. Can't wait to see your pictures!

Where did you eat? Anything you might like to share on food & dining - after you've caught your breath??!!!!

Thanks again!

3reds
09-26-2002, 03:51 PM
Thank you -- your report was really informative about the buses.
We'll be at POR on Oct. 11! :Pinkbounc

RAMWDWFAN
09-26-2002, 03:53 PM
Dallas_Lady,

Thanks for the post. I've decided to stay at either a moderate or deluxe on Fridays and Saturdays before I move into my DVC accommodations for the week, and your description of POR was very helpful. Glad you had a good time!

4forDis
09-26-2002, 05:32 PM
Hi Dallas_Lady,
I just want to respond to your comment about the bottom sheets. We stayed there in Oct 2000 and had the same problem on the double beds. Most hotels use a flat sheet on the bottom instead of a fitted, but the sheets at Disney must be skimpy!
That bugged me too. Who wants to wake up on the yucky mattress cover or even the bare mattress. You know that if you are having a problem with the sheets, everyone else must be also, so who knows how many tushies touched that mattress.

dcedwards
09-26-2002, 07:40 PM
Dallas-Lady
I noticed you said that when you left the parks that there was a separate bus stop for POFQ. When we were there in Nov. last year they shared a bus stop. Has this changed?

I also noted that in the mornings you mentioned that POR buses did not go to the FQ. That is a change also.

Just curious if they decided to give each resort a separate bus stop at the park.

Thanks for the info. And, yes, Disney has always used a flat sheet for the bottom sheet. It is very common practice at a lot of hotels as then you don't have to separate out top and bottom sheet. Although, we didn't have problems keeping them tucked in...but we are pretty "still" sleepers. That would have been a little irratating, though.

skuttle
09-26-2002, 07:48 PM
Thanks for the great report! DH and I will be staying at POR for the first time in May. :)

I have a couple of questions:

DH and I have only stayed at the GF and the Dolphin. Would you suggest getting a King bed room for the extra space?

I also noticed that you asked that your sheets and towels be cleaned every day. So if you didn't ask, your towels wouldn't be changed everyday, ie you'd have to use dirty towels?

Thanks!

dcedwards
09-26-2002, 07:53 PM
Skuttle - they give you the option (at all Disney Hotels I think) of either using your towels again or getting new ones. If you want to use them again you put them on the racks....if not I think they tell you to put them in the tubs.

And, as I understand it, it is now Disney policy that they don't change the sheets every day unless you specifically ask for this to happen. We always ask for a clean comforter/blankets and spread when we check in due to allergies. And, we also request that sheets be changed everyday...and not just the beds made.

jaguar9748
09-26-2002, 08:51 PM
Dallas - yep the double beds have the same non-fitted sheet. What a pain! It's twice as much work for the mousekeeper. DH said this probably a way they save money - don't even bother buying fitted sheets.

Interesting bus route. I wonder if Tyler is reading this and can give us what's going on.

As far as I know, the only park that has separate stops for POR and POFQ is Magic Kingdom. The 3 All Stars also have their own buses at MK. All of the other parks are combined. Dallas??

Thanks for your review! 90 days for us and counting! :p

Dallas_Lady
09-26-2002, 09:05 PM
Originally posted by dcedwards
Dallas-Lady
I noticed you said that when you left the parks that there was a separate bus stop for POFQ. When we were there in Nov. last year they shared a bus stop. Has this changed?

I also noted that in the mornings you mentioned that POR buses did not go to the FQ. That is a change also.

Just curious if they decided to give each resort a separate bus stop at the park.

From what I observed, POFQ and POR didn't share busses in the morning going to the parks. They did share busses in the evenings coming home, except for the one evening at the MK when the crowds were really heavy. That night, some busses said "French Quarter" and some said "Riverside."

Dallas_Lady
09-26-2002, 09:10 PM
Originally posted by skuttle
DH and I have only stayed at the GF and the Dolphin. Would you suggest getting a King bed room for the extra space?

I also noticed that you asked that your sheets and towels be cleaned every day. So if you didn't ask, your towels wouldn't be changed everyday, ie you'd have to use dirty towels?


I would spend the extra $10-15 a night for a king bed. I think it is worth it. You do have more floor space, and a night stand on each side instead of just one in the middle. Plus, the rooms with 2 beds at the moderates have double (full sized) beds, not Queens like you may have had at GF or the Dolphin.

And yes, I called to ask that the sheets be changed each day cause I read that they weren't. The CM then asked me if I wanted the towels changes each day as well. I said yes. I assume that had I not called, neither would have been changed each day.

Dallas_Lady
09-26-2002, 09:12 PM
Originally posted by melomouse

Where did you eat? Anything you might like to share on food & dining - after you've caught your breath??!!!!


I posted dining reviews on the restaurant board.

Dallas_Lady
09-26-2002, 09:35 PM
Originally posted by jaguar9748
As far as I know, the only park that has separate stops for POR and POFQ is Magic Kingdom. The 3 All Stars also have their own buses at MK. All of the other parks are combined. Dallas??


I agree, this is the way it seemed to be when we were there

l_czepe
09-27-2002, 08:28 AM
Thanks for sharing your great photos of POR. We're staying there for 7 nights next May, and after seeing your photos I'm even more excited! The resort really looks beautiful.

~Lisa

twixbar
09-27-2002, 08:55 AM
Thank you for your detailed review of the resort. I love looking at pictures, and yours came out wonderful!

melomouse
09-27-2002, 09:25 AM
The pictures are beautiful!

You are soo efficient, DallasLady. Off to the Restaurant Board I go!!!

drenkey
09-27-2002, 09:44 AM
Dallas_Lady,

Thanks for posting your review and pics! Your review is very informative and your photos are beautiful. :)

GaDisneyDad
09-27-2002, 10:30 AM
Thanks for the pictures. I've got a few from our stay at POR last June on my website below. Just click on the "Riverside" link. You'll notice how overcast all my outdoor shots were - a reflection of all the rainy weather we had during our stay. Looks like you got a lot more sunshine than we did!

Patio
09-27-2002, 10:32 AM
Thanks for your very detailed report and awesome pictures. DXL was my first on-site stay and you brought back some wonderful memories. Glad you had such a great time there.:D

Jodi1980
09-27-2002, 11:56 AM
I stayed there this past summer - can anyone find the hidden mickey in one of the pictures?

NHLizzie
09-27-2002, 06:51 PM
You take spectacular pictures! Thank you so much for sharing. I will be staying at Port Orleans in November, and your pictures make me even more anxious to be there!:Pinkbounc

CaliforniaDreaming
09-27-2002, 07:07 PM
Thanks for the pictures, I really enjoyed viewing them! It looks like a really nice resort!

Dallas_Lady
09-28-2002, 08:58 AM
Originally posted by Jodi1980
I stayed there this past summer - can anyone find the hidden mickey in one of the pictures?

Are you talking about the Mickey thats carved into the wood shelf in the room? I noticed that when I checked in and thought it was too cute!

skuttle
09-28-2002, 11:10 AM
Beautiful pictures!! I can't wait to stay there in May. :)

And I did decide to have Dreams Unlimited change our room to a King room. :) Thanks for the tip!

Dallas_Lady
10-01-2002, 08:20 AM
I just got more pics from our trip uploaded yesterday. Check 'em out!